We collected 70 burglary statistics for the UK, each from the organisation that produced it, and checked every one against its source on 11 October 2026. Most cover the year ending March 2026, the latest official data. Each figure carries its publisher and date, so you can cite it as it stands. The sources are the Office for National Statistics, the Home Office, the Scottish Government, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the Metropolitan Police and MOPAC, legislation.gov.uk, the Sentencing Council, the police inspectorate, insurers reporting their own claims, and peer reviewed research. England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland each count burglary their own way, so we label each nation and you should not add their figures together.
Key takeaways
The Crime Survey for England and Wales estimated 348,000 incidents of domestic burglary in the year ending March 2026. England and Wales only; this is a survey estimate from household interviews carried out April 2025 to March 2026, so it includes burglaries never reported to the police, and the change on the previous year's survey was not statistically significant. (ONS, July 2026)
Police in England and Wales recorded 223,456 burglary offences in the year ending March 2026. England and Wales only; this counts residential and non residential burglaries recorded by police between April 2025 and March 2026, so burglaries never reported are not included. (ONS, July 2026)
Domestic burglary incidents estimated by the Crime Survey for England and Wales were 85% lower in the year ending March 2026 than in 1995. England and Wales only; this compares the survey year ending March 2026 with calendar year 1995, when overall crime measured by the survey peaked, and the fall is statistically significant. (ONS, July 2026)
A door was the way in, or the attempted way in, in 76% of domestic burglaries in a dwelling in England and Wales. Crime Survey for England and Wales, year ending March 2025, including attempts; victims could give more than one method, so the categories can add up to more than the whole. (ONS, March 2026)
The door was not locked in 25% of domestic burglaries in England and Wales where the burglar got inside. Crime Survey for England and Wales, year ending March 2025, counting only burglaries in a dwelling where entry was gained, so attempts are excluded. (ONS, March 2026)
70% of domestic burglaries in a dwelling in England and Wales took place in the evening or at night, between 6pm and 6am. Crime Survey for England and Wales, year ending March 2025, based on incidents where the victim could say when it happened; ONS marks the rise on the previous year as statistically significant. (ONS, March 2026)
5.0% of residential burglaries recorded by police in England and Wales in the year ending March 2026 resulted in a charge or summons. England and Wales only; it is the share of burglaries recorded in the year that had reached a charge or summons outcome when the data was extracted, so it rises as open cases close. (Home Office, July 2026)
72.4% of residential burglaries recorded in England and Wales in the year ending March 2026 were closed with no suspect identified. England and Wales only; it is the share of burglaries recorded in the year given the outcome investigation complete, no suspect identified, by the time the data was extracted. (Home Office, July 2026)
The Home Office estimated that each domestic burglary in England and Wales cost society £5,930. Unit cost in 2015/16 prices, adding costs in anticipation of crime (such as money spent on security), as a consequence of crime (such as stolen property and emotional harm) and in response to crime (such as police and courts). (Home Office, July 2018)
Burglary of a dwelling carries a maximum sentence of fourteen years' imprisonment under section 9 of the Theft Act 1968. England and Wales only; applies on conviction on indictment, and inhabited vehicles and vessels count as dwellings. (legislation.gov.uk, July 1968)
The Metropolitan Police recorded 22,929 residential burglaries of a home across London's 32 boroughs in the 12 months to September 2026. Our sum of the Met's monthly figures for October 2025 to September 2026 in the 32 boroughs it polices, so the City of London is excluded, counting burglaries of the home itself rather than sheds or outhouses. (Metropolitan Police, October 2026)
Lewisham recorded 890 residential burglaries of a home in the 12 months to September 2026. Our sum of the Met's monthly figures for the London Borough of Lewisham from October 2025 to September 2026, excluding sheds and other unconnected buildings. (Metropolitan Police, October 2026)
How many burglaries happen in the UK each year?
Each nation measures burglary separately, and Scotland calls it housebreaking, so we label every figure with its nation. If you have just been burgled, start with what to do after a burglary.
Police in England and Wales recorded 153,966 residential burglaries in the year ending March 2026. England and Wales only; residential burglary covers homes and any sheds, garages or outbuildings within the boundary of a home, recorded by police from April 2025 to March 2026. (ONS, July 2026)
Police in England and Wales recorded 69,490 non residential burglaries in the year ending March 2026. England and Wales only; non residential burglary covers business and community buildings rather than homes or buildings within a home's boundary, recorded by police from April 2025 to March 2026. (ONS, July 2026)
The Crime Survey for England and Wales found that 1.1% of households were victims of domestic burglary at least once in the year ending March 2026. England and Wales only; this is the share of households interviewed between April 2025 and March 2026 that reported at least one domestic burglary in the previous 12 months, and the change on the previous survey was not statistically significant. (ONS, July 2026)
Police in Scotland recorded 6,968 crimes of housebreaking in 2025/26. Scotland only; housebreaking is the Scottish equivalent of burglary and includes attempts and housebreaking with intent to steal at homes, outbuildings and other premises, recorded from April 2025 to March 2026. (Scottish Government, June 2026)
Police in Scotland recorded 3,680 housebreakings of domestic dwellings in 2025/26. Scotland only; this counts housebreaking at homes themselves, excluding domestic outbuildings such as sheds and garages and business or other premises, recorded from April 2025 to March 2026. (Scottish Government, June 2026)
The Police Service of Northern Ireland recorded 2,593 burglaries in 2025/26. Northern Ireland only; this counts all burglaries, residential and business and community, recorded by police from April 2025 to March 2026. (PSNI, May 2026)
Are burglaries going up or down?
Burglary sits far below its peak in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and police in each recorded fewer again in the latest year.
Police recorded burglary in England and Wales fell by 9% in the year ending March 2026 compared with the previous year. England and Wales only; this compares burglaries recorded by police in the year to March 2026 with the year before, and police figures can shift with reporting and recording practice. (ONS, July 2026)
Recorded housebreaking in Scotland decreased by 6% between 2024/25 and 2025/26. Scotland only; this compares housebreaking crimes recorded by police in the financial years ending March 2025 and March 2026. (Scottish Government, June 2026)
Recorded housebreaking in Scotland peaked at 116,130 crimes in 1991 and in 2025/26 was at its lowest level since 1971. Scotland only; the long term series uses calendar years up to 1994 and financial years from 1995/96 onwards, and it counts crimes recorded by police. (Scottish Government, June 2026)
Burglaries recorded by the Police Service of Northern Ireland fell by 9.6% in 2025/26 compared with 2024/25. Northern Ireland only; this compares burglaries recorded by police in the 12 months to March 2026 with the previous 12 months. (PSNI, May 2026)
Burglary made up 13.4% of all crime recorded by police in Northern Ireland at its highest level in 2002/03, and burglary levels in 2025/26 were the lowest in the data series. Northern Ireland only; this is burglary's share of all police recorded crime rather than a count, and the comparable data series begins in 1998/99. (PSNI, May 2026)
What percentage of burglaries are solved?
The Home Office records how each police investigation ends. Treat a charge or summons as the closest official measure of a solved burglary.
5.9% of home burglaries recorded in England and Wales in the year ending March 2026 resulted in a charge or summons. England and Wales only; home burglary is the residential burglary subcategory for the home itself, recorded separately since April 2023. (Home Office, July 2026)
2.4% of burglaries of an unconnected building recorded in England and Wales in the year ending March 2026 resulted in a charge or summons. England and Wales only; unconnected building is the residential burglary subcategory that excludes the home itself, recorded separately since April 2023. (Home Office, July 2026)
7.3% of residential burglaries recorded in England and Wales in the year ending March 2026 were closed for evidential difficulties even though a suspect was identified and the victim supported action. England and Wales only; it is the share of burglaries recorded in the year that police closed because the evidence was not strong enough to proceed despite a known suspect. (Home Office, July 2026)
8.2% of residential burglaries recorded in England and Wales in the year ending March 2026 were closed because the victim did not support further police action. England and Wales only; the Home Office counts this outcome within its evidential difficulties group, measured as a share of burglaries recorded in the year. (Home Office, July 2026)
Police in England and Wales recorded 10,360 charge or summons outcomes for residential burglary in the year ending March 2026. England and Wales only; it counts outcomes assigned during the year, some for burglaries recorded in earlier years, so it is on a different basis from the charge rate for offences recorded in the year. (Home Office, July 2026)
9.0% of non residential burglaries recorded in England and Wales in the year ending March 2026 resulted in a charge or summons. England and Wales only; non residential burglary covers business and commercial premises, and the rate is the share of burglaries recorded in the year. (Home Office, July 2026)
In 71 percent of the burglary reports HMICFRS examined, police staff gave victims no advice on preserving the crime scene during the initial call. England and Wales only; based on case file reviews in the 2021/22 police inspections, before the national commitment to attend every home burglary. (HMICFRS, August 2022)
The National Police Chiefs' Council confirmed in June 2023 that all police forces in England and Wales were attending every home burglary, a policy in place since March 2023. England and Wales only; this is a policy commitment, not a measured attendance rate. (NPCC, June 2023)
When do most burglaries happen?
Crime Survey victims report when the burglary happened and whether anyone was home. Insurers add the months when their customers make the most theft claims.
71% of domestic burglaries in a dwelling in England and Wales happened during the week rather than at the weekend. Crime Survey for England and Wales, year ending March 2025, where the weekend runs from Friday 6pm to Monday 6am and attempted burglaries are included. (ONS, March 2026)
Someone was at home in 63% of domestic burglaries in a dwelling in England and Wales. Crime Survey for England and Wales, year ending March 2025, covering attempts as well as completed burglaries and including occupants who did not realise a burglary was happening. (ONS, March 2026)
Nearly half (47%) of UK adults who had been burgled said they or someone in their household was in the property when the break in happened. Aviva survey carried out by Censuswide in September 2024, so the share is of respondents who said they had been burgled rather than of all UK homes. (Aviva, October 2024)
Aviva home insurance claims for forcible theft rise by 25% in October and November. Aviva's analysis of its own home claims from 2021 to 2024; the release does not say what the autumn months are compared with. (Aviva, October 2025)
Aviva claims for theft involving forcible and violent entry rose by 11% on average from December to January each year since January 2022. Aviva internal home claims data, comparing each January from 2022 to 2024 with the December before it. (Aviva, December 2024)
How do burglars get into homes?
Crime Survey victims say how the burglar got in, or tried to: through a door or a window, by forcing the lock, or through a door nobody had locked. If a burglar forced your door, we can make it secure after a break in.
60% of domestic burglaries in a dwelling in England and Wales involved the burglar getting in, or trying to get in, at the front of the home. Crime Survey for England and Wales, year ending March 2025, where front includes the front of a house, flat or garage and attempts are included. (ONS, March 2026)
Burglars forced a door lock in 29% of domestic burglaries in a dwelling in England and Wales. Crime Survey for England and Wales, year ending March 2025, covering attempts as well as completed burglaries and counting door locks only. (ONS, March 2026)
A window was the way in, or the attempted way in, in 17% of domestic burglaries in a dwelling in England and Wales. Crime Survey for England and Wales, year ending March 2025, including attempts; victims could give more than one method. (ONS, March 2026)
Just under half (46%) of UK adults do not lock all the doors into their home while they are in and awake. Aviva survey carried out by Censuswide in September 2024, covering all doors that give access to the property. (Aviva, October 2024)
One in ten people (10%) in the UK keep their keys within reaching distance of a door or window. Aviva survey carried out by Censuswide in September 2024 among UK adults aged 16 and over. (Aviva, October 2024)
What do burglars steal, and what does a burglary cost?
Victims count what the burglar took, insurers count what they pay out, and the Home Office counts the full cost to society.
Jewellery or watches were stolen in 34% of domestic burglaries with entry in England and Wales where something was taken. Crime Survey for England and Wales estimate for burglaries in a dwelling where the burglar got in and took at least one item; more than one type of item can be taken in a single burglary. (ONS, March 2026)
The mean value of items stolen in a domestic burglary with entry in England and Wales was £2,752. Victims' own estimates of the total value of items taken, from the Crime Survey for England and Wales; a small number of very high value losses pulls the mean above the typical loss. (ONS, March 2026)
Domestic burglary cost society in England and Wales an estimated £4.1bn in 2015/16. Home Office estimate in 2015/16 prices covering all domestic burglaries in England and Wales, whether or not they were reported to the police. (Home Office, July 2018)
The average home insurance theft claim paid by insurers reached a record £5,100 between April and June 2026. Average across home insurance theft claims settled by ABI members in the second quarter of 2026, covering the UK. (ABI, August 2026)
Aviva's average home insurance claim for forcible theft was £6,272 in 2024. Average value of theft claims involving forced entry made by Aviva home insurance customers, from the insurer's own claims records. (Aviva, October 2025)
Which homes are most at risk of burglary?
Renting or owning, and town or country, change the risk, and some households suffer more than one burglary in a year.
2.2% of privately rented households in Scotland experienced housebreaking in 2024/25. Share of households that experienced at least one housebreaking in the 12 months before interview, from the Scottish Crime and Justice Survey; housebreaking is the Scottish legal term for burglary. (Scottish Government, March 2026)
0.5% of owner occupied households in Scotland experienced housebreaking in 2024/25. Share of owner occupied households in Scotland that experienced at least one housebreaking in the 12 months before interview, Scottish Crime and Justice Survey. (Scottish Government, March 2026)
1.1% of urban households in Scotland experienced housebreaking in 2024/25. Share of households in urban parts of Scotland that experienced at least one housebreaking in the 12 months before interview, Scottish Crime and Justice Survey. (Scottish Government, March 2026)
0.3% of rural households in Scotland experienced housebreaking in 2024/25. Share of households in rural parts of Scotland that experienced at least one housebreaking in the 12 months before interview, Scottish Crime and Justice Survey. (Scottish Government, March 2026)
14% of victims of domestic burglary in a dwelling in England and Wales were burgled more than once in the year ending March 2026. Crime Survey for England and Wales measure of repeat victimisation, counting victims who suffered more than one burglary in a dwelling during the 12 months before interview. (ONS, July 2026)
33% of domestic burglaries in a dwelling in England and Wales were experienced by repeat victims in the year ending March 2026. Share of all burglaries in a dwelling that fell on households burgled more than once in the 12 months before interview, Crime Survey for England and Wales. (ONS, July 2026)
What are the burglary figures for London and Lewisham?
The Metropolitan Police publish recorded crime for each London borough every month. We work from SE13 and SE6, so we show Lewisham and two of its neighbours; our Lewisham page covers the local homes and doors.
The Metropolitan Police recorded 23,861 residential burglaries of a home across London's 32 boroughs in the 12 months to September 2025. Our sum of the Met's monthly figures for October 2024 to September 2025, from the same borough file and offence category, as the baseline for the latest London figure. (Metropolitan Police, October 2026)
Lewisham recorded 873 residential burglaries of a home in the 12 months to September 2025. Our sum of the Met's monthly figures for October 2024 to September 2025, the baseline for the latest Lewisham figure. (Metropolitan Police, October 2026)
Lewisham recorded 354 residential burglaries of unconnected buildings in the 12 months to September 2026. Our sum of the Met's monthly figures for October 2025 to September 2026; unconnected buildings are sheds, outhouses and similar structures within a home's boundary. (Metropolitan Police, October 2026)
Greenwich, which borders Lewisham, recorded 693 residential burglaries of a home in the 12 months to September 2026. Our sum of the Met's monthly figures on the same basis as the Lewisham figure, although the boroughs differ in size. (Metropolitan Police, October 2026)
Southwark, which borders Lewisham, recorded 947 residential burglaries of a home in the 12 months to September 2026. Our sum of the Met's monthly figures on the same basis as the Lewisham figure, although the boroughs differ in size. (Metropolitan Police, October 2026)
Residential burglary of a home in London fell by 7% in the financial year to March 2026 compared with the previous financial year, according to MOPAC. MOPAC's comparison uses Met recorded crime for April 2025 to March 2026 against April 2024 to March 2025 across London. (MOPAC, June 2026)
The Metropolitan Police area recorded 9.6 residential burglaries per 1,000 households in the year ending March 2026. The rate divides police recorded residential burglary for April 2025 to March 2026 by mid 2021 household estimates and covers the Met force area, which excludes the City of London. (ONS, July 2026)
What is the sentence for burglary in the UK?
These are the legal maximums and guideline ranges in England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own law and sentencing.
Burglary of a building that is not a dwelling carries a maximum sentence of ten years' imprisonment under section 9 of the Theft Act 1968. England and Wales only; applies on conviction on indictment to any building or part of a building that is not a dwelling. (legislation.gov.uk, July 1968)
Aggravated burglary, committed while carrying a firearm, imitation firearm, weapon of offence or explosive, carries a maximum sentence of imprisonment for life under section 10 of the Theft Act 1968. England and Wales only; applies on conviction on indictment. (legislation.gov.uk, July 1968)
Section 314 of the Sentencing Act 2020 sets a minimum sentence of 3 years for a third domestic burglary. England and Wales only; it applies to offenders aged 18 or over with two earlier domestic burglary convictions, and for offences since June 2022 courts can depart from it only in exceptional circumstances. (legislation.gov.uk, December 2020)
The Sentencing Council guideline range for domestic burglary runs from a community order to 6 years' custody. England and Wales only; it covers offenders aged 18 and older, and ranges apply before any reduction for a guilty plea. (Sentencing Council, July 2022)
The Sentencing Council guideline range for non domestic burglary runs from a discharge to 5 years' custody. England and Wales only; it covers offenders aged 18 and older, and ranges apply before any reduction for a guilty plea. (Sentencing Council, July 2022)
The Sentencing Council guideline range for aggravated burglary runs from 1 to 13 years' custody. England and Wales only; it covers offenders aged 18 and older, and the offence can only be tried in the Crown Court. (Sentencing Council, July 2022)
Does home security stop burglars?
Survey data and research both link home security with a lower risk of burglary. Start with the locks police advice names.
56.9% of domestic burglaries in a dwelling in England and Wales hit homes with no or less than basic security, compared with 25.0% of households that were not burgled. Crime Survey for England and Wales, year ending March 2025, where basic security means window locks plus double locks or deadlocks on outside doors. (ONS, March 2026)
2.0% of households in England and Wales with no or less than basic home security were victims of burglary in a dwelling, against 0.4% of households with enhanced security. Crime Survey for England and Wales, year ending March 2025, where enhanced means window and door locks plus at least one extra measure such as an alarm, CCTV, sensor lights or double glazing. (ONS, March 2026)
Burglary in homes that met Secured by Design police security standards was 53% lower than in comparable homes without the award. Meta analysis of nine UK studies funded by Secured by Design, so it shows an association across developments rather than a controlled trial. (University of Waikato, September 2024)
Burglary counts fell by about 43% after alley gates were fitted in UK schemes. Weighted before and after comparison of gated locations in nine UK studies, without control areas, so it measures the change where gates went in rather than against similar ungated streets. (Justice Quarterly, March 2017)
Households with no security devices were nearly eight times as likely as households in general to suffer a burglary with entry in England and Wales. Analysis of pooled Crime Survey for England and Wales data from 2008/09 to 2011/12, comparing homes with none of the listed devices against all households. (Crime Science, February 2017)
How we built this page
Every figure comes from the organisation that produced it: government statistics, police and inspectorate publications, legislation, sentencing guidelines, insurers reporting their own claims or commissioned surveys with a stated sample, and peer reviewed studies. We excluded statistics roundups, news reports of studies, paywalled figures and anything we could not see on the source page ourselves.
We checked each figure against its source on 11 October 2026: by script against the page, spreadsheet or PDF, or by hand where a site blocks scripts. The London and Lewisham totals are our sums of the Metropolitan Police monthly figures, and you can reproduce them from the same file.
The Crime Survey figures on timing, entry and stolen items rest on a few hundred incidents, so treat small differences with care. Where the data predates its publication, we give the collection period with the figure. We review this page every three months and update it at the same address when new data comes out; the next review falls in January 2027.
Cite this page: ESL Locksmiths, UK burglary statistics for 2026, updated October 2026, esllocksmiths.co.uk. Each section has its own link, so you can send readers to the exact figure you quote.
We built this page so anyone writing about burglary can cite a figure from its source. If your own locks need changing, we price the job before we set off.
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